The overpopulation of chihuahuas in California continues to force animal shelters on the West Coast to look to shelters on the East Coast for help – where the dogs will quickly be adopted.

Virgin America first teamed up with the SFACC to fly needy pups to new homes on the East Coast in 2010 to help address the influx of dogs at shelters on the West Coast.

"Virgin America is thrilled to once again help out our friends and neighbors at San Francisco Animal Care and Control who work so hard to take care of animals in need in our city," said Frances Fiorillo, senior vice president of People and InFlight at Virgin America.

"This is now a favorite and beloved partnership for us and our teammates – who volunteer to fly as annual companions in order to get these pups to loving homes on the East Coast."

The chihuahuas were received at Newark Liberty International Airport by the ASPCA. Virgin America teammate volunteers escorted the chihuahuas on the flight.

"It is great to partner once again with Virgin America to help these animals find a loving and caring home on the East Coast," said Virginia Donohue, director of the City of San Francisco Animal Care & Control.

"With California having a major overpopulation of chihuahuas, this partnership has continued to help us in our mission to find families for these animals in need. While these lucky dogs are on their way to be adopted on the East Coast – Bay Area residents interested in adopting a pet can make tails wag by visiting their local shelter today."

"The ASPCA is dedicated to ending animal homelessness nationwide, and we are thrilled to do our part today helping to find loving homes for this group of animals from San Francisco while meeting the high demand for these dogs in New York," said Gail Buchwald, senior vice president of the ASPCA Adoption Center.

"These chihuahuas will need time to settle in and receive medical and behavioral evaluations once they arrive so we encourage interested adopters to visit our website to learn about all the available animals at our adoption center looking for their forever homes."